What’s Good
Dwell on God's Praiseworthy Gifts and Virtues
A 13-Session Guided Study
“Change the Channel”
Introduction
When I go on road trips, I still like to listen to the radio. It's fun to hear the sounds change from region to region: from country music to mariachi to local, public radio. And when it goes static, or you hear some coarse language you'd rather avoid, you scan for a new station. You tune into something good.
And like the racket on the radio we don't want to hear, it's easy to dwell on discouraging thoughts. But when the darkness gets noisy, we need to change the channel and tune into "whatever is true ... honorable ... just ... pure ... lovely" and "commendable." Scripture says, "if there is anything worthy of praise" to "think about these things" (Phil. 4:8).
THE BIG IDEA
The Lord doesn't just want us to do good things (Phil. 4:9) — he also wants us to think about good things (Phil. 4:8)!
Of course, tuning our thoughts isn't as easy as pushing a button on a console. It takes careful attention (Prov. 4:23; Eph. 5:14-15). But like a wild field becomes a garden when tended, we can sow "pure ... lovely ... commendable" thoughts and cultivate new thinking habits. Paul paints a portrait of a mature Christian mind throughout Philippians, culminating in Phil. 4:4-13, where he shows us how to know the "peace of God" and the "God of peace" (Phil. 4:7, 9). Our key verse (Phil. 4:8) falls between those two phrases, showing us the path to maturity and peace.
So for the following thirteen lessons, we'll meditate on God's gifts and virtues. Because when we spend time thinking about and talking about the good things God has poured into his world (James 1:17), we become more grateful, committed servants. And as we meditate on his excellent virtues (2 Peter 1:3-8), we learn to treasure what he treasures.
So in these conversations, we pray you'll find new hope, joy, and strength. May we recognize God's abundant grace and light through which we will overcome the darkness (2 Cor. 4:6,16).
THE BIG QUESTION
Has the noise of the world drowned out the good things of God in your heart?
Get ready with these Helpful Resources
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God's Gifts
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Session 1: Nature
The Big Idea: When we don't take in the natural world, we miss a window into the wonder of God's goodness and greatness.
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Session 2: Work
The Big Idea: The chance to do good work and appreciate the work of others is worth celebrating.
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Session 3: Rest
The Big Idea: Work is good, but God also created us to enjoy the sweetness of rest.
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Session 4: Talents
The Big Idea: God manifests his wisdom and glory in the diversity he has filled his good world with.
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Session 5: Singing
The Big Idea: Singing expresses what's inside us — what we believe, feel, and decide.
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Session 6: Celebration
The Big Idea: It pleases and glorifies God when we gratefully enjoy his blessings together.
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Session 7: Family
The Big Idea: Family bonds can give us love and acceptance that reflects our Heavenly Father's.
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Session 8: Friendship
The Big Idea: Through consistent acts of loyal love, we stockpile trust that friends draw on for a lifetime.
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God's Virtues
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Session 9: Excellence
The Big Idea: Though we're not perfect, we glorify God by stretching daily to be better and do better.
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Session 10: Kindness
The Big Idea: God teaches us to appreciate kindness by pouring his unimaginable love and mercy into our lives.
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Session 11: Honesty
The Big Idea: We love truthful words because they’re the language our God uses to speak to us.
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Session 12: Humility
The Big Idea: When we lift ourselves above others, we forget that our King lowered himself for us.
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Session 13: Purity
The Big Idea: Filling our hearts and minds with goodness leaves no room for the filth of sin.
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Guided Study FAQ
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If you’ve struggled to stay positive in difficult times, the following thirteen lessons will help us meditate on God's gifts and virtues. Because when we spend time thinking about and talking about the good things God has poured into his world (James 1:17), we become more grateful, committed servants. And as we meditate on his excellent virtues (2 Peter 1:3-8), we learn to treasure what he treasures.
So in these conversations, we pray you'll find new hope, joy, and strength. May we recognize God's abundant grace and light through which we will overcome the darkness (2 Cor. 4:6,16).
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This Guided Study lasts 13 sessions. Tackle them once a week, once a month, or at some other interval. It’s up to you how you’d like to break them down.
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Absolutely! What’s Good is useful on your own, or with a group. Watch the conversation starter video together, take turns asking the questions, and make sure to get everyone involved in the study!
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Free. But you knew that!
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Not currently, but one of the best ways to see these conversations in action is to listen to Podcast episodes connected to each session. Hopefully, it’ll give you a good idea of what these conversations could sound like!